If you have an iPhone X and notice that the screen goes black when you make or receive phone calls, there are a few potential causes and solutions to try. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the common reasons for iPhone X black screen issues during calls and provide troubleshooting tips to fix the problem.
Quick Overview of Main Causes
Before diving into detailed explanations, here is a quick overview of the most common triggers for iPhone X call screen issues:
- Proximity sensor problem
- Faulty screen or display
- Outdated software
- Glitch due to iOS update
- Problem with Phone app
- Hardware issue with earpiece speaker
- Damaged proximity sensor flex cable
Read on as we explore each of these issues more in-depth and provide actionable tips to get your iPhone X call screen working properly again.
Proximity Sensor Malfunction
One of the most common reasons an iPhone X screen turns black during calls is a problem with the proximity sensor. This sensor detects when your phone is close to your face during a call, signaling to turn off the screen and touch capabilities temporarily so you don’t accidentally press buttons with your cheek.
If the proximity sensor gets covered by a phone case, obstructed by dirt or damage, or malfunctions, it can fail to detect your face and not turn the screen off as expected. Some signs of a faulty proximity sensor include:
- Screen stays black even when phone is away from your face
- Screen turns on and off inconsistently during calls
- Touchscreen remains active and presses buttons accidentally during calls
Before replacing any hardware, try these troubleshooting steps for proximity sensor issues:
- Check the proximity sensor for obstructions like dirt, stickers, or damage. Gently clean the surface of the sensor if needed.
- Disable any screen protectors or phone case temporarily to test if they are interfering.
- Reset all settings on your iPhone to overwrite any corrupted configuration files.
- Restore your iPhone through iTunes or Finder to eliminate any software bugs.
- Replace the proximity sensor flex cable if above steps don’t resolve the issue.
Display or Screen Damage
Physical damage to the iPhone X’s OLED display panel or integrated screen digitizer can also cause the screen to malfunction and turn black during calls. Possible types of damage include:
- Cracked or broken screen
- Dead, stuck, or hot pixels
- Internal display connector issue
- Ribbon cable or logic board problem
Signs of screen hardware problems include:
- Display remains black when trying to wake phone
- Distorted or discolored visuals
- Touched become unresponsive
- Flickering, freezing, or unresponsive screen
To resolve, get the iPhone X screen repaired or replaced by a qualified technician. Avoid DIY fixes which can further damage the phone. Apple offers iPhone screen repair services at reasonable costs in many areas.
Outdated Software
Having outdated system software on your iPhone can also contribute to glitches like display problems during calls. Apple releases regular iOS updates with bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features.
Failing to keep your iPhone updated means missing out on these critical patches. An outdated OS can trigger random screen freezing and blackouts.
To rule out software as the culprit:
- Plug iPhone into computer and launch iTunes or Finder
- Check for any pending iOS updates and install the latest version
- Alternatively, go to Settings > General > Software Update on the iPhone
Updating to the current iOS has helped many users resolve inexplicable call screen blackouts and other display quirks.
iOS Update Bug
In some cases, a recent iOS update itself may introduce new bugs that cause problems like black screens during calls. Apple typically patches these glitches in subsequent updates.
For instance, iOS 11.3 was known to cause black screens during calls for many users due to a proximity sensor issue. Apple fixed the bug in an iOS 11.3.1 update.
If display problems start immediately after updating your iPhone OS, try the following:
- Hard reset the iPhone and see if issue persists
- Check forums and Apple support to confirm if others have reported similar bug
- Backup phone and restore to previous non-problematic iOS version
- Wait for next incremental iOS update with fixes
As a last resort, you can contact Apple support and file a complaint about display malfunction possibly caused by a flawed iOS release.
Phone App Problems
The pre-installed Phone app on your iPhone enables making and receiving calls over the cellular network or Wi-Fi. Glitches with this critical app can manifest as black screen issues when trying to call someone.
If the problem only seems to occur within the Phone app, try these steps to troubleshoot:
- Force close the Phone app and restart the iPhone
- Check for Phone app updates in the App Store
- Toggle on/off settings like Wi-Fi calling, silence unknown callers, etc.
- Reset the Phone app’s permissions and data
- Remove and reinstall the Phone app
As a workaround, you can also download and use a different calling app from the App Store until Apple resolves any Phone app bugs in future iOS releases.
Earpiece Speaker Damage
The earpiece speaker on your iPhone X emits sound during calls and is located directly above the main screen. If this delicate component gets damaged due to water exposure or a drop impact, it can trigger an unresponsive black screen during calls.
Some signs of earpiece speaker damage:
- No sound from top speaker during calls
- Muffled or distorted sound quality
- Calls drop in and out
To fix speaker damage, take the iPhone to Apple Support or third-party phone repair shops. They can run diagnostics and replace the earpiece speaker if needed.
Proximity Sensor Cable Damage
The proximity sensor internally connects to the iPhone’s logic board via a thin cable known as the proximity sensor flex. If this cable gets damaged or disconnected due to a drop impact or phone disassembly, it can disrupt signals to the prox sensor and screen.
Symptoms of a damaged prox sensor cable include:
- Erratic screen behavior during calls
- Proximity sensor stops working
- Front camera malfunctions
If there are no external signs of damage, professional microsoldering may be needed to reconnect or replace the delicate prox sensor flex cable and restore functionality.
Conclusion
In summary, the leading culprits for iPhone X call screen problems include hardware issues like a faulty prox sensor, display damage, or earpiece speaker failure. Software bugs and glitches can also trigger black screens during calls.
Before taking your iPhone to the repair shop, try basic troubleshooting like cleaning sensors, updating iOS, resetting settings, and testing without any case or screen protector. For software-related issues, Apple eventually releases fixes in incremental iOS updates.
With proper diagnosis and treatment of the underlying problem, you can get your iPhone X call display functioning normally again and get back to smooth communications.
